Max Johnston (born 26 December 2003) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a right-back for club Derby County and the Scotland national team.
Johnston started his career at the Motherwell academy, making his senior debut in 2021, where he also had loan spells at Queen of the South and Cove Rangers. In 2023, Johnston moved to Austria to sign with Sturm Graz where he would stay for two years, before moving to England to sign with Derby County.
Club career Motherwell Johnston signed for Motherwell at 12 years old, progressing through the club's academy system, then joining up with the first-team squad ahead of the 2020–21 season. Johnston debuted for the Steelmen on 13 February 2021, as a substitute in the Lanarkshire derby versus Hamilton Academical.
On 1 September 2021, Johnston signed for Queen of the South on a season long loan deal, with the former Doonhamers manager being his father Allan. He was then loaned to Cove Rangers in September 2022. After making 10 appearances with Cove, Johnston was recalled on 1 January 2023. He then became a regular in the Motherwell first team, and won the SFWA Young Player of the Year award for 2022–23.
Sturm Graz On 25 July 2023, Austrian Bundesliga club Sturm Graz announced the signing of Johnston on a contract until the summer of 2027.
Johnston made 65 appearances for Sturm Graz, scoring two goals and whilst at the club he won the Austrian Bundesliga in 2024 and 2025 and the Austrian Cup in 2024.
Derby County On 27 August 2025, Johnston signed with EFL Championship club Derby County on a four-year contract after Derby agreed an undisclosed fee with Sturm Graz for Johnston's services. On 30 August 2025, Johnston made his debut for Derby in a 2–2 league draw at Ipswich Town. Johnston sustained a hamstring injury on 25 October 2025 in a match against Queens Park Rangers. Johnston was set to return to action in January 2026, however he picked up a calf injury in training which extended his stay on the sidelines. Johnston returned to action in April 2026 and made 15 appearances during his first season at Derby County.
International career Johnston represented Scotland at under-16 level, scoring on his debut versus Australia in 2019. On 17 March 2022, Johnston was called up late to the Scotland under-19 squad.
He was added to the full Scotland squad for the first time in October 2023, following withdrawals by Aaron Hickey and Andrew Robertson. He made his senior debut on 20 March 2025 as a late substitute for Billy Gilmour in a UEFA Nations League victory over Greece.
Personal life Johnston's father is former Scotland international Allan; his uncle Sammy was also a footballer.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsMotherwell2020–21Scottish Premiership20000000–202021–22Scottish Premiership000000––002022–23Scottish Premiership173200000–193Total193200000–213Queen of the South (loan)2021–22Scottish Championship2522000–41313Cove Rangers (loan)2022–23Scottish Championship1100000––110Sturm Graz2023–24Austrian Bundesliga20020–70–2902024–25Austrian Bundesliga24120–50–3112025–26Austrian Bundesliga3110–10–51Total4725000130–652Sturm Graz II2023–242. Liga70––––70Derby County2025–26EFL Championship15000–––1502026–27EFL Championship500010––60Total2000010––210Career total12979010130411568
International
+Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsScotland202540Total40
Honours Sturm Graz Austrian Cup: 2023–24 Austrian Football Bundesliga: 2023–24, 2024-25
Individual SFWA Young Player of the Year: 2022–23
References